Sr. Construction Project Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Summary

Our client is a boutique, full-service real estate advisory and construction management firm supporting complex development projects across Southern California. Their expertise spans the full project lifecyclefrom early-stage planning and entitlement through design, procurement, and construction execution.

With a team comprised of highly credentialed professionals across engineering, project management, and construction disciplines, the firm has built a strong reputation for delivering high-impact public sector projects, particularly within large, multi-stakeholder environments. They are currently seeking a highly experienced Project Manager to support major capital improvement programs in collaboration with one of the largest public school districts in the region.

This is an opportunity to step into a highly visible role requiring deep familiarity with large-scale, publicly funded construction programs and the ability to navigate complex institutional frameworks similar to LAUSD.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead and manage multiple large-scale construction projects within a public agency or school district environment, ensuring adherence to scope, budget, and schedule
• Act as a key liaison between district representatives, internal leadership, consultants, contractors, and regulatory bodies
• Oversee and evaluate construction progress against baseline schedules, identifying risks and implementing corrective actions as needed
• Review, negotiate, and manage change orders with a strong understanding of downstream impacts to cost and timelines
• Provide comprehensive contract administration oversight for architects, engineers, and consulting partners
• Monitor and manage project financials, including budgets, forecasts, cost controls, and payment applications
• Resolve complex construction-related issues, disputes, and claims in alignment with public sector requirements and standards
• Support procurement and bid processes, including development of bid packages and evaluation of contractor proposals
• Coordinate extensively with internal departments such as Environmental Health & Safety, Facilities Planning, Asset Management, Inspection, and Maintenance & Operations
• Ensure strict compliance with public agency requirements, including documentation, reporting, and audit readiness
• Provide direction and oversight to Owners Authorized Representatives (OARs) and project support staff
• Contribute to the development and implementation of internal processes and best practices to enhance program delivery

Qualifications & Requirements

• Minimum of 17 years of full-time professional experience in project and/or construction management
• At least 5 years of experience managing large capital programs, with individual project values exceeding $50 million (non-cumulative)
• Proven track record delivering projects within public school districts, higher education systems, or similarly complex public works environments (strong preference for LAUSD or comparable districts)
• Demonstrated expertise navigating large, multi-layered organizations with strict compliance, reporting, and stakeholder coordination requirements
• Strong working knowledge of:
  • Public sector contract administration
  • Cost control, budgeting, and financial oversight within funded programs
  • CPM scheduling and project controls
  • Claims avoidance, dispute resolution, and change management
  • Quality assurance and regulatory compliance
• Bachelors degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or related field
  • OR equivalent combination of education and extensive industry experience
• Ability to obtain Certified Construction Manager (CCM) certification within one year if not already held
• Highly Preferred Experience:
  • Direct experience working with LAUSD Facilities Services Division or similarly structured organizations
  • Familiarity with Division of the State Architect (DSA) processes, documentation, and approvals
  • Experience coordinating with departments such as OEHS, A/E Technical Support, Inspection Units, and Asset Management within large districts
  • Experience with Design-Build project delivery
  • Proficiency with Building Information Modeling (BIM) tools and workflows
  • Exposure to LEED-certified or high-performance building programs
• Preferred Licenses & Credentials:
  • Active Certified Construction Manager (CCM) designation
  • Licensed Architect or Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of California
• Key Attributes:
  • Executive-level communication skills with the ability to interface effectively across all levels of a public agency
  • Strong leadership presence with experience directing large, cross-functional project teams
  • Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail in documentation-heavy environments
  • Adept at navigating bureaucracy, approvals, and layered decision-making structures
  • Proactive, solutions-driven mindset with the ability to anticipate and mitigate project risks